Sewing-machine attachment



A. H. DE VOE.

SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. IT, I919- Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

3 SHhETS-SHEET I.

NEY

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

WMN

A. H. DE VOE. SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FIAED APR. H, I919- Apr. 25,

' 3 SHhETS-SHEET 2.

A. H. DE voE.

SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT. APPLICATION FILED APH.II, I919- Patented Apr. 25, 1922.-

a .SH EETS-SHEET 3.

A RNEY WITNESSES, m4, 4% 65 MM OEFHCEQ ALBERT n. DE VOE, or wnsrrrnnn nnw JERSEY, assienoa 'ro inns SINGER M ANU- Y FACTURING COMPANY, a CORPORATION or NEW JERS Y. 0 i

SEWING-MACHINE ATTACHMENT. I I

T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALnER'r'H. Dn Von, a citizen of the United States, residing at Test-field, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in" Sewing-Machine Attachments, of which the following" is a specification, reference being had therein to the aocompanying drawings. I

This invention relates to sewing machines and has for one of its objects to provide a machine capable otfhe'mming a strip of .i'abric and sin'iultaneously uniting thereto'at a single operation a previously hemmed strip.

Another object of the invention is to stitch a straight strip 'offlabrioot greater Width than the gauge of the needles, at a uniform distance from the edges thereof, and to unite thereto a second piece of fabric placed beneath said strip. j

A' still further object is to stitcli' .together vtwo pieces of fabric; one piecle'being' buckled to form a pocket between the two pieces.

The invention may be advantageously em bodied in machines for forming overall suspender straps wherein stijips'of'tabric are hemmed and united, one with'the other, at an angle thereto. p

In the manufacture of suspenderstraps it has heretofore been customary to hem each strap separately and later tofunit the crossed strapsby a separate operation, whereas, by

means of the present construction; the ,sepa" rate uniting operation is eliminated, the

hemming'seams affording the meansior se curing the crossed straps together.

The objects of the invention are attained in the present machine wherein a strip; folder'is employed to present'to the stitch-f ing mechanism strips of fabric having both edges folded. 'This folder is spaced above the cloth-plate and'is formed in the uppe'r wall with a longitudinal aperture 'tlirough which a portion of the fabric protrudes when the strip is of greater width than the de" r I h I t1ve position by a 'spri'nggpressed plunger-i livery end of the folder. s

For the purpose of uniting a'previously treadle-operated tucking element, which normally lies beneath, and in line with the apertures in thetolder, and which mavbef raised to force the finished strap up into the protruding portion of the strip being application filed A priljll, 1919. Serial 110. 289,332.

Specification of Letters Patent. A 5.25

hernmed and into direct contact withlsaid str p, so that as the stitching proceeds the two straps will be united fiatwise.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Fig l is a front elevation partly .insection of a machine embodying the present inventio n. Fig. 2 is anend elevationthereof with the cloth-platelshown in section. Fig. 3, is a sectional plan view'r witli the overhanging arm broken away/"F 1g; Ajis, an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 4-4 ofFig. 3, showinga finished strap insertedbeneath the strip-folder. 5 is a, similar view, showingthe finished strap forced upi'nto the protruding portions'oit the strip being hemmed. Fig' 6 is a view of two united straps constituting Zone of the products of the present invention. 1 Fig; 7 is a sectional view of two f abrics 'unit'ed so as to' produce a pocket, constituting'another' product of the present invention. f

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustratedQ-the machine is constructed with a frame having' a base 1,

standard 2 and overhanging arm 3 terminating in the hollow head 4-. J ournaled in the base 1 is the main or drivingshaft 5 m tuating through suitable mechanism, indicated generally as 6, the needlesbar 7' carrying spaced needles 8;

Cooperat g with the needlesin the formation of stltchesfare the loopers 9 one only of which is shown. which are actuated from the main-shaft 5. Fabric-feeding meohanism of usual construction, indicated the numeral 10, is also actuated from the mainfree and unobstructed passage between the two. This st rip-folder is held inits'opera:

.which deliverto the stitching mechanism a foldedstripofwhich the outer edges extend slightly beyond the outer needles. The upper wall, or roof 17 which connects the two fplding, scrolls is. cut away to form a longitudinal aperture 18 through which the material protrudes when the strip is of greater width than the delivery end. of. the folder, as indicated in Fig. 4 wherein the strip a, is shown with its marginal portions folded at b and its central portion 0 buckled and protruding through the aperture 18 due to the crowding action of the walls 19 on the'edges d of the strip a. The folder 14 is alsofornied witha fabric supporting and forming wall 17 provided with" a longitudinal aperture 18 in register with the aperture 18.

"A connecting member 20 is located intermediate'the supporting arm 13 and the folder 14; and is' formed with an arched portion 21 which constitutes, in effect, a continuation of the aperture 18.

i The presser-foot 22 which acts in conjunc: tion withfthe feeding mechanism is fixed upon the presser-bar 23 and comprises a bifurcated supporting shank 24, of well known form, which carries a pair of pressermemhersi25, provided with needle-holes 26, upturned toe-portions 26 and fabric-guides 27. These fabric-guides are provided. with vertical guiding walls 28. whichact to hold the portion 0 of'the strip an out. of the paths, of reciprocation of theninnermost needles.

By this construction the strips arestitched at a predetermined distance fromthe, edges thereof rega fldless of their varying width.

Provisionis alsomade for unitinga previously hemmedstrap e to the strip a being stitched, to form the usual cross-straps,

whichconsistsof placing the strap 6 on the.

cloth-plate 29, beneath the strip folder and at an angle thereto, so that. as the hemming of the strip a continues the strap (2 will be simultaneously united; to it by common of thestrip ato make it conform to the C0117" seamsj As the straps, at the point. where they are united, are ordinarily of agreater width than the folder, the portion 0 of strip a, will be buckled so as to protrude through the aperture 18 as shown in Fig. 4.

Means are provided for forcing the under or finished strap e up. into the buckled part tour of the latter so that when the two are united theywill both lie flat. See Figs. 5'and6. i

' This means comprises a tucking element,

' in the form of a blade 30, having a portion 30 projecting abovethe. surface of the cloth-plate,and fixed to a slide-rod.31mounted to move vertically in a bearing bracket 32 depending from the cloth-plate 29. The

blade 30 normally rests beneath and in line with-the apertures 18 and18 in the folder l and may be raised against the action of the spring 33, through a slotfflelin. thecoverplate 35, carried by the cloth plate29 and through the apertures 1818 to the position shown in Fig. 5, for the purpose described. A rock-lever 36 is. fulcrumed at 37 to a bracket 38 sustained. by the cloth-plate, and is connected at its forward end by a link 39 to. a collar .40 fixed to the slide-rod 31, whereby, through the manipulation ofasuitable treadle, not shown, and treadle connection 41 the lever 36 and blade 30 may be caused to assume the positions shown in dotted lines, Fi 1.

fhe bracket 38 is formed with an extension 42, fitted with an adjustable plate 43 carrying a stop-pin 4L4with which the rear end36 of the lever 36 may contact, thus limiting the upward movement of theblade 30 to a predetermined position dependent upon the Width of the fabric being folded;

The stop-pin is lowered to an inoperative position when tapered strips are being hemmed, as the amount of the buckled portion will be constantly changing due to the change in width of the strip, andthe blade 30 is kept under control by the treadle connection to hold the finished strap, at all times, in contact with said buckled portion.

When it is desired to stitch together two pieces of fabric so as to produce a pocket 7, as shown in Fig. 7, the tucking element. is, not brought into action and the lower fabric 9 is thereforenot forced into contact with the buckled portion ofv the upper fabric it so that when the two, fabrics are, united the desired pocket will be formed.

WVhilethe machine hasbeen shown employingfour needles, the strip-folder shown tov produce hem. folds, and the stitchingof suspender straps particularly. described, it is. obvious that. a. greater or less. number of needlesv maybe employed and that. other. forms ofedge folds andvarious other articles may be produced without departing. from the spirit of the invention. 7

It is further obvious that, this invention contemplates broadly. the inserting of one fabric within the buckled portion ofanother fabric to which itis. to be unitedrand it is therefore immaterial. whetherthe tucking elementbe fixed in operativev position .in register with the aperturesin the folder or whether either the folderor the tucking ele ment be retracted one from the other forv elevated, to cause the last mentioi1ed fabric to conform to the contour of the first-mentioned fabric, whereby the fabrics are passed 1 to the stitching mechanism and united with theiradjacent surfaces in contact.

2. ln a sewing machine, a folder having apertures through one of which a portionof a fabric may protrude, and means for inserting a second piece of fabric within said protruding portion of fabric, said means 111- cluding a tucking element in register with the apertures in the folder and adapted to project the fabric therethrough.

3. In a sewing machine including stitching mechanism, a folder having edge-folding sci olls and an aperture extending in the clirection of its length, through which aportion of a fabric may protrude, and means intermediate said folding scrolls for inserting a second piece of fabric within the protruding portion of fabric during the stitching of the first-mentioned fabric whereby the two fabrics are positioned to be united by the stitching mechanism; 7

4. In sewing machine including a clothplate, stitch-forming mechanism and fabricfeeding mechanism, a fabric-guide having a longitudinal aperture and adapted to receive a strip of fabric of a substantially greater width than said fabric-guide and to fold the marginal portions thereof at auniform distance from its edges, said fabric-guide being supported above said cloth-plate and maintained in spaced relation therewith to afford a free and unobstructed passage between said fabric-guide and said cloth-plate thereby permitting the introduction beneath said fabric-guide of a second piece of fabric extending laterally beyond the edges of the fabric-guide whereby the two may be united, the stitch-forming mechanism and a presser-foot movable relatively to said fabric-guide.

5. In a sewing machine comprising a cloth plate, fabric-feeding mechanism and stitchforming mechanismincluding spaced needles, a fabric-guide supported independently of said cloth-plate and maintained inspaced relation therewith and adapted to buckle a strip of fabric passing therethrough and to fold the marginal portions thereof and direct them to the respective needles, and means for presenting to the stitch-forming mechanism a second strip of fabric disposed at an angle to said first-mentioned strip with one face thereof in contact with a face of the latter whereby the stitch-forming mechanism operates to stitch the folded marginal portions of the first strip of fabric and to simultaneously unite therewith, at an angle thereto, the second strip of fabric.

6. In a sewing machine, a folder having a longitudinal aperture through which a portion of a fabric protrudes, means for inserting a second piece of fabric within said protruding portion of fabric, said means 1neluding a vertically movable tucking element and an adjustable stop for limitingthe movement of said element, whereby the latter may be raised to a predetermined position dependent upon the widthof the'fabric being folded.

7. In a. sewingmachine, in combination, fabric-feeding mechanism, stitch-forming mechanism including spaced needles, a pres ser-foot having spaced presser-members each provided with an upturned tO8pOItl011,-2L folder having a longitudinal aperture, means for buckling a portion of a strip of fabric therein through said aperture, and means in advance of said needles and independent of said toe-portions for holding said buckled portion. of fabric out of the needle-paths, said 'i last named means comprising fabric-guides carried by the presser-members and having vertical guiding walls between which the fabricis fed. j r

8. In a sewing machine, a vertically movable folder having apertures through one of which a portion of a fabric may protrude, means for inserting a second piece of fabric within said protruding portion. of fabric",

said means including a tucking element adapted to enter said apertures, means for lowering said folder to a position in operative relation with said tucking element and means for retaining it in said position.

9. In a sewingmachine, a vertically mov- I able fabric folder having an aperture through which a portion of a fabric may protrude, and means including a tucking ele ment for inserting a second piece of fabric within said protruding portion of fabric, provision being.made for relative movement between said fabric folder and the tucking element for introduction of said second piece of fabric.

10...ln a sewing machine comprising a cloth-plate, fabric-feeding mechanism and stitch-forming mechanism including spaced needles, a fabric-guide supported abovesaid cloth-plate and maintained in spaced relation therewith and adapted to buckle a por tion of a tapered strip of fabric passing therethrough and fold'its marginal portions at uniform distances from the edges thereof and direct them to the respective needles, said fabric-guide being so constructed and arranged as to-permit the introduction of a second strip of fabric to the stitching mechanism beneath said first-mentioned strip and. at an angle thereto, and a tucking element acting upon said last-mentioned strip" to cause it to conform to the contour of the buckled portion of the first-mentioned strip whereby the stitch-forming mechanism operates to stitch the folded portion of the firstmentioned strip at uniform distances'from its edges, and simultaneously unite therewith. at an angle thereto, said second strip. 11. In a sewing machine constructed with a cloth-plate and comprising stitch-forming mechanism including spaced needles, a tab rie-folding device with means for sustaining it above the cloth-plate and including means for simultaneously turning in both marginal portions of a tapered. strip of fabric and for buckling said strip in the direction of its length, said folding device being so constructed and arranged as to permit the positioning of a second'strip oi fabric beneath said folder at an angle to said first-mentioned strip and the tucking of it into direct contact with and in the direction or the length of said first-mentioned strip, said stitch-forming mechanism afiording means for uniting the two strips so as to effect a uniform flat product.

12. In a sewing machine comprising stitch-forming and fabric-feeding mechanisms, in combination, a. fabric-folder adapted to simultaneously fold bothmarginal portions of a tapered strip of fabric, said folder having an aperture through which a portion vot the fabric of varying amount may protrude, and means independent of said folder for inserting within said variably protru ding portion a second strip of fabric and for constantly maintaining their surfaces in con.- tact,

13. In a sewing machine comprising stitchforming and fabric-feeding mechanisms, in combination. a fabric-folder adapted to simultaneously fold both marginal portions oi? a tapered strip of fabric, said folder having an aperture through which a portion of the fabric of varying amount, may protrude, and

means for inserting within said variably pro- 14. In a sewing machine comprising a cloth-plate, fabric-feeding mechanism and stitch-forming mechanism includlng spaced needles, a fabric-toldmg device adapted to fold the marginal-portions of a strip of fab- V ric passing therethrough and provided with a longitudinal aperture through whiclra poi; tion of the strip is free to project, said fabric folding device being supported from above the clothplate and spaced therefrom toat tlord a free and unobstructed passage between the two. said stitch-forming mechanism and folding device being constructed and arranged to hem the'marginal portions of the strip of fabric and simultaneously unite therewith, at an angle thereto, a second strip of fabric, and a Presser-foot movable relatively to said fabric-folding device. In testimony whereof, I' have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT H. DE VCR 

